A Review of Treatment for Acute and Chronic Pars Fractures in the Lumbar Spine

Spondylolysis remains one of the most common causes of lower back pain in the pediatric and adolescent populations and is particularly prevalent in young sporting individuals. Despite this, approaches to diagnostic imaging and both conservative and surgical treatment vary widely among surgeons. The current review investigates recent literature on the etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of spondylolysis. In particular, it interrogates the use of various advanced imaging modalities (CT, MRI, SPECT) in diagnosis as well as common surgical approaches to the condition.